The University is located in Shimla. It offers UG, PG and PG Diploma courses. ICDEOL, Himachal Pradesh University got provisional recognition from DEC in 2007 - 08 for conducting distance education courses.

In India, the H.P. University was the first to impart instruction at postgraduate level in social-sciences, humanities, commerce and teacher training through the mode of distance education. Research studies at M.Phil. level were also introduced through this medium in the various disciplines. Over the years, its Directorate of Correspondence Courses gradually absorbed the emerging philosophy of distance education and adopted multi-media approach for imparting instruction. In view of this, the Directorate of Correspondence Course has been renamed as the International Centre for Distance Educational and Open Learning (ICDEOL).

Methodology -
The ICDEOL imparts instructions mainly through the medium of printed lecture scripts, which are supplemented by Personal Contact Programmes ( PCPs ) and assignments.
The medium of instruction at the Postgraduate level is English except in the subjects of Hindi and Sanskrit.

Examinations - The examination for M.A, MBA, M.Com, M.Sc, PGDPM & LW, PGDCA, APGDIT & MMC are conducted every year on Semester basis normally in November for I/III semester and in June for II/IV semester. The examination for B.A, B.Com and B.C.A. classes are, however, conducted on annual basis.
The degrees are usually awarded to the candidates after one year of passing the concerned examination.

Study Centres - It has study centres in few cities. Personal Contact Programmes for (1) B.A & B.Com are held in
Shimla, Mandi, Dharamshala, Hamirpur, Chandigarh and Noida, (2) for
M.A (Traditional) in
Shimla, Dharamshala, Noida and Amritsar, (3) for M.Sc (Maths) in
Shimla, Noida, Amritsar and Ludhiana, (4) for
MBA in
Shimla,
Chandigarh, Noida & Dharamshala, (5) for M.Com in
Shimla, Dharamshala, Noida and Amritsar (6) for all other courses Shimla.

Selection - Admission to courses are made through Merit of qualifying exam and entrance for professional courses. B.Ed and M.ed is only for candidates working in a recognized / affiliated educational institution located in Himachal Pradesh.

Application Procedure - Application form can be obtained from University or Study Centre or Website. The application form duly filled-in and accompanied by IPOs / Bank Draft of prescribed fee as processing fee payable to the Director, ICDEOL, H.P. University, Shimla-5 along with attested Certificates, Testimonials, counseling CARD (with postage stamps of Rs. 6/- affixed on the space provided) must reach the Director, ICDEOL, H.P. University, Summer Hill, Shimla (HP) 171005.

Fees - The fee can be deposited either in cash at University Counter or through crossed Bank Draft in favour of Director, ICDEOL , H.P. University , Shimla-5 payable at SBI Branch Summer-Hill, Shimla-171005. It is important to write name, subject/class and complete address on the backside of bank draft.